Compact central lubrication system



Oct. 25, 1966 H. FISCHER COMPACT CENTRAL LUBRICATION SYSTEM 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 5, 1964 CONDUCTIV! METER FIG-2 SOAP SUPPLY INVENTOR. HEINRICH FISCHER BY I v 1 1 I ATTORNEY Oct. 25, 1966 H. FISCHER 3,286,941

COMPACT CENTRAL LUBRIGATION SYSTEM Filed Aug. 5, 1964 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG-3 INVENTOR. HEINRICH FISCHER JMM W AT TOR N E! Oct. 25, 1966 H. FISCHER COMPACT CENTRAL LUBRICATION SYSTEM 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Aug. 5, 1964 82 FHG=6 PRESSURE INVENTOR HEINRICH FISCHER BY WW% ATTQBNEX Oct. 25, 1966 r H. FISCHER 3,280,941

COMPACT CENTRAL LUBRICATION SYSTEM Filed Aug. 5, 1964 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. HEINRICH FISCHER BY I ATT NEY United States Patent 3,280341 COMPACT CENTRAL LUBRICATION SYSTEM Heinrich Fischer, 3600 Linwood Road, Apt. 505, Cincinnati, Ohio Filed Aug. 5, 1964, Ser. No. 387,599 12 Claims. (Cl. 184-7) This invention relates to improvements in a Compact Central Lubrication System, and has particular reference to such a system particularly adapted for use in Bottle Handling Machinery or the like utilizing a progressively advancing chain conveyor system.

Cleanliness, accuracy and smoothness of operation are of vital importance in such machines where the conveyor chain or the like moves a continuous flow of bottles or other work pieces along a supporting bed or platen, and this can best be obtained by minimal measured supply of lubricant of constant viscosity-varying in amount as to individual areas to be lubricatedto the chain and platen during the operation of the machine.

One of the objects of the present invention is the provision of a simplified automatically operating compact unit which will effect continuous preparation of a lubricant mix of selected proportions of base lubricants such as a soap emulsion and a suitable dilutant and continuously discharge the resultant mix in individually determined quantities to selected areas of the machine.

A further object of the invention is the provision in such a structure of a primary control of the maximum volume of mix into which the base lubricant can be discharged, and an additional volumetrically effected control for limiting discharge of a dilutant into the mixing tank to prevent overflow.

Another object of the invention is the provision of means for continuously measuring conductively or otherwise the existing proportions of base and dilutant in the mix and automatically varying the supply of dilutant in accordance with said measurement determined requirements.

An additional object of the invention of a distribution system as aforesaid which shall embody individual distribution conduits for the separate areas to be lubricated, with throttle means or the like to control proportional discharge as selected of the lubricant mix by the respective conduits, with or without automatic modification and control of a common discharge pressure effective as respects a group of associated conduits.

The invention has also for its object the provision in connection with the specific combination and arrangement of basic fluid circulating elements, of an improved control circuit for correlation of their functionings, and of a unitary enclosure for the essential parts which may be placed in desired location in proximity with the area or areas to be lubricated and sealed or locked to prevent unauthorized tampering with the various essential control settings.

In its broad aspect, the invention consists in the combination, arrangement and operation of its essential elements as hereinafter described in connection with an em bodiment thereof in the following specification, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and specifically pointed out in the claims.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic view in the nature of a vertical section particularly illustrating the flow or circulation of the lubricating medium.

FIG. 3 is a view in elevation of the unit with certain of the side panels removed to show the interior arrangement of the parts.

FIG. 4 is a similar plan view.

3,280,941 Patented Oct. 25, 1966 FIG. 5 is a similar end view.

FIG. 6 is a basic electrical control diagram.

FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic view of a form of pressure lubricant distribution and control.

FIG. 8 is a diagram of a base lubricant conduit supply system.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a smaller single distributor pump unit.

FIG. 10 is an end view.

FIG. 11 is a plan view, and

FIG. 12 is a rear elevation with parts of the containing cabinet broken away.

In the drawings, in which similar characters of reference are employed to denote corresponding parts throughout the several views, the numeral 20 designates the containing cabinet of the present invention, having the lateral access opening 22 normally closed by the door 24 which can be sealed or locked to prevent unauthorized tampering with the contained parts. The cabinet has also the top opening at 26, normally closed by cover 28 affording access to the mixing tank 30.

On the front of the cabinet is the control box 32, normally closed by cover 34. At the left, within this box is panel 36 of the microminos specific conductance meter or measuring unit for determination and control of the proportions of basic lubricant and dilutant in the mix in tank 30. This panel carries the meter adjusting index finger 40, the temperature indicator 42, and the on and off switch 38. The right hand panel carries the handolf or automatic switch knobs 44 and 46.

Basic operational features of the invention will be best understood by reference to FIG. 2. In operation, it is contemplated that use be made of a base or liquid lubricant such as concentrated soap supply or emulsion contained in the tank 48 which is drawn from the tank through conduit 50 by pump 52 driven by motor and discharged into the mixing tank 30 through conduit having at its discharge end a valve 58, opened and closed by the fall and rise of float lever 60. This float is shown in its uppermost position in FIG. 2, completely shutting off further supply of the base to tank 30 until the level of the mix lowers and allows the float to move down.

Relief of pressure in conduit 56 when flow is shut off, may be effected by use of a commercial pump having built in pressure relief elements, or for simple and complete control use may be made of the conduit arrangement shown in FIG. 8. As there shown, conduit 50 from supply tank 48 has a first needle valve 62 variably to restrict or retard the supply flow, while a second such valve may be located adjacent the pump, and a third valve 66 in discharge conduit 56. A by-pass conduit 68 interconnects the conduits 50 and 56 and is provided with a variable resistance check or relief valve 70 which will yield to prevent undue pressure build up in conduit 56 when flow is stopped as by closing of valve 58.

Flow through conduit 56 may be alternatively controlled by solenoid valve 72 as shown in dotted lines in FIGS. 2 and 8, and hereinafter described.

To produce the ultimate mix desired for lubrication purpose distribution, there is added to the base in the tank a suitable dilutant, in the present instance water, supplied through conduit 74 having at its dis-charge end the valve 76, electrically controllable or directly mechanically operated by the float lever 78 when the volume of mix in the tank is such as to raise this lever to the position shown in FIG. 2. As the lever 60 shuts otf possible supply of base lubricant to tank 30 when the mix is at an intermediate level in the tank as a determinant of the maximum quantity of base that can under any conditions be in the tankin mix or otherwise, while lever 78 shuts oil the dilutant at a determined higher level of the mix a stabilized condition is established and any overflow is prevented,

irrespective of possible variations demands.

To insure constantly effective mixing or co-mingling of the fluid base lubricant and the dilutant in the tank 30, stirring or agitating of the mix is desirable. A simplified structure for this purpose has been shown in FIG. 2, comprising the pump 80, driven by motor 82, with an inlet from the tank 30 at 84, re-circulating the mix back into the tank through standpipe 86, the rate of flow being controllab-le by valve 88. Alternatively this agitation might be effected by a by-pass conduit 90 from the pressure side of one of the lubricant feed pumps, such as 92. This potential circuit has been indicated in dotted lines in FIGS. 2 and 7.

For distribution of the mix to the areas on a machine or machines to be lubricated, use is made of the pressure pump or pumps, such as 92 and 96 driven by the motors 94 and 98. The mix is drawn from tank 30 through a conduit 100 by pressure pump 92 and forced into a pressure tank, plenum or distributor head 102, which may be a part of the discharge side of the pump or separate therefrom as diagramatically indicated in FIG. 7. From this head, individual conduits such as 104, 106, 1118 and 110 extend to the specific areas to be lubricated. These may vary in size, may be provided with individual adjustable needle or throttling valves 112, FIG. 2, or bleeder tips 114 as indicated in FIG. 8, accurately to determine the relative rates of discharge of mix from the individual conduits of a particular distributor head.

To maintain constant consistency of the mix, or proportions between base and dilutant, use is made of a suitable meter or measuring device, such as a conductivity meter and control circuit as diagrammatically indicated in FIGS. 2 and 6.

This meter has its measuring probes 112 extending into the mix in the lower part of the tank 30, and connected by the wires 114 to the panel 36. It may be of any standard commercial type, and responds, for example, to changes in conductivity of the mix due to variation in the proportions of base and dilutant to energize solenoid 116 and close valve 118 shutting off flow of dilutant through supply conduit 74. Pilot or indicator light 120 in parallel with the solenoid 116 is simultaneously energized to indicate to the operator that the valve is closed.

As previously mentioned, if desired, flow through conduit 56 of the base lubricant may be electrically in place of mechanically controlled. In this event, the float lever 60 may act as a level control probe, its movement through circuitry in panel 124 closing circuit 126 to energize solenoid 128 and close valve 72 indicated in dotted lines in FIG. 2.

In operation, the several branch circuit switches such as 130, 132, 134 and 136 are closed. Closing of lineor starter switch-138 will start feed or supply pump motor 54, agitator or re-circulation pump motor 82, energize panels 36 and 124 and their associated elements, and men gize the power circuit leads 140-142 for the feed pump motors 94 and 98. If the switch or switches 46 are in or moved to A or automatic position, the control circuits for starter solenoids 144 for pressure pump motor 94 and 146 for pressure pump motor 98,'and their pilot or indicator lights 148 and 150 will be completed, star-ting the pumps and lighting the lights, and automatic continuous production of the lubrication mix of prescribed consistency and its distribution in predetermined ratio or proportion the various areas to be lubricated will be effected.

The pressure pumps such as 92 may operate continuously, or if desired a pressure switch control 152 may be connected with the pressure tank portion 102 of the pumpdist-ribution head, as shown in FIG. 7. This may determine on and off operation of the pump motor 94 or 98 by energizations of the coupled control relay 154. When such control is used check valve 156 retains the mix under pressure in the head 102.

in consumption 4 What is claimed is: 1. A lubrication control uni-t for bottle handling machines of the type having a progressing conveyor chain,

comprising a liquid lubricant supply source, a mixing tank, means for transferring lubricant from the source to the tank, float controlled means at a lower level to limit flow of lubricant into the tank, separate means for supplying a dilutant to the tank, means for agitating and mixing the lubricant and dilutant within the tank, additional means including a float effective at a higher level for limiting the supply of dilutant and the total quantity of mix in the tank, a conductivity meter associated with the mix, and means independent of the float controlled by the meter for limiting the supply of dilutant to regulate the proportions of lubricant and dilutant in the mix.

2. A lubrication control unit for bottle handling machines of the type having a progressing conveyor chain, comprising a liquid lubricant supply source, a mixing tank, means for transferring lubricant from the source to the tank, float controlled means at a lower level to limit flow of lubricant into the tank, separate means for supplying a dilutant to the tank, means for agitating and mixing the lubricant and dilutant within the tank, additional means including a float effective at a higher level for limiting the supply of dilutant and the total quantity of mix in the tank, a conductivity meter associated with the mix, means independent of the float controlled by the meter for limiting the supply of dilutant to regulate the proportions of lubricant and dilutant in the mix, a lubricant distributor head, mutiple lubricant distribution conduits extending from the head to selected portionsof the machine for lubrication thereof, and means for supplying mix from the tank to the head under predetermined pressure for transmittal to said selected portions of the machine.

3. A lubrication control unit for bottle handling machines of the type having a progressing conveyor chain, comprising a liquid lubricant supply source, a mixing tank, means for transferring lubricant from the source to the tank, float controlled means at a lower level to limit flow of lubricant into the tank, separate means for supplying a dilutant to the tank, means for agitating and mixing the lubricant and dilutant within the tank, additional means including a float effective at a higher level for limiting the supply of dilutant and the total quantity of mix in the tank, a conductivity meter associated with the mix, means independent of the float controlled by the meter for limiting the supply of dilutant to regulate the proportions of lubricant and dilutant in the mix, a lubricant distributor head, multiple lubricant distribution conduits extending from the head to selected portions of the machine for lubrication thereof, means for supplying mix from the tank to the head under predetermined pressure for transmittal to said selected portions of the machine, and means for controlling the rate of transmittal and discharge of the mix by individual conduits.

4. Av lubrication control unit for individual lubrication of multiple areas comprising a source of liquid lubricant, a mixing tank, a pump for transferring lubricant from said source to the tank, means to supply dilutant to the tank, means to agitate the contents of the tank to comingle the lubricant and dilutant into a distributable mix, means to control the supply of dilutant including a meter effective to determine the proportions of lubricant and dilutant in the mix, and a shut oif valve for the dilutant controlled by said meter, a discharge header, a plurality of discharge conduits extending from the header to convey the mix to the areas to be lubricated, and a pressure pump intervening the header and the tank effective to transfer mix from the tank under pressure to the header.

5. A lubrication control unit for individual lubrication of multiple areas comprising a source of liquid lubricant, a mixing tank, a pump for transferring lubricant from said source to the tank, means to supply dilutant to the tank, means to agitate the contents of the tank to comingle the lubricant and dilutant into a distributable mix, means to control the supply of dilutant including a meter effective to determine the proportions of lubricant and dilutant in the mix, and a shut oif valve for the dilutant controlled by said meter, a discharge header, a plurality of discharge conduits extending from the header to convey the mix to the areas to be lubricated, a pressure pump intervening the header and the tank effective to transfer mix from the tank under pressure to the header, and means to determine the proportional discharge of the mix under pressure from the header through the individual conduits.

6. The structure as specified in claim 5 in which said means to determine the proportional discharge includes valves individual to the respective conduits.

7. A lubrication control unit for individual lubrication of multiple areas comprising a source of liquid lubricant, a mixing tank, a pump for transferring lubricant from said source to the tank, means to supply dilutant to the tank, means to agitate the contents of the tank to comingle the lubricant and dilutant into a distributable mix, means to control the supply of dilutant including a meter effective to determine the proportions of lubricant and dilutant in the mix, and a shut off valve for the dilutant controlled by said meter, a discharge header, a plurality of discharge conduits extending from the header to convey the mix to the areas to be lubricated, and a pressure pump intervening the header and the tank effective to transfer mix from the tank under pressure to the header, and pressure responsive means coupled to the header for limiting the discharge pressure created in the header by the pump.

8. The structure as specified in claim 7, in which said pressure responsive means includes a pressure gauge having a movable element, an electric circuit including a control relay energized by movement of the element, and means operable by the relay to control the activation of the pressure pump.

9'. Operation and control means for a multiple areas lubrication system which comprises a mixing tank, a lubricant supply source, a first pump for feeding lubricant from the source to the tank, a dilutant supply line discharging into the tank, a circulation pump for agitation of lubricant and dilutant in the tank to maintain a homogeneous mix, and a pressure discharge for the mix including an outlet from the tank, a pressure pump and a distribution conduit system fed by the pressure pump, said operating and control means including motors for driving said pumps, a solenoid operated valve for controlling the flow through the dilutant supply line, an electrical control circuit including a valve operating solenoid, a pilot light and a conductivity meter energized by dilution variations in the mix in the tank to determine activation of the circuit to operate the solenoid and the light, alternatively available manual or automatic control circuits for the pressure pump motor, a selector switch for completing one or the other of said circuits, a starter solenoid and a pilot light, common to both of said circuits to effect and indicate the functioning of the pressure pump motor.

10. The structure as specified in claim 9, which in cludes means responsive to pressure in the distribution conduit system for controlling the operation of the pressure pump.

11. Operation and control means for a multiple areas lubrication system which comprises a mixing tank, a lubricant supply source having a supply inlet conduit to discharge into the tank, a first pump for feeding lubricant from the source to the tank, a dilutant supply line having an inlet discharging into the tank, a circulation pump for agitation of lubricant and dilutant in the tank to maintain a homogeneous mix, and a pressure discharge for the mix including an outlet from the tank, a pressure pump and a distribution conduit system fed by the pressure pump, said-operating and control means including motors for driving said pumps, a solenoid operated valve for controlling the flow through the dilutant supply line, a circuit including a valve operating solenoid, a pilot light and a conductivity meter energized by dilution variations in the mix in the tank to determine activation of the circuit to operate the solenoid and the light, alternatively available manual or automatic control circuits for the pressure pump motor, a selector switch for complet" ing one or the other of said circuits, a starter solenoid and a pilot light common to both of said circuits to eflect and indicate the functioning of the pressure pump motor, and means to limit the height of the liquid level in the tank, including a solenoid operable shut-01f valve for one of the supply inlets to the tank, and a control circuit for the valve including a switch and a level measuring probe in the tank operatively associated with the switch.

12. A lubrication control unit for bottle handling machines oi the type having a progressing conveyor chain, comprising a liquid lubricant supply source having a supply inlet, a mixing tank, means for transferring a liquid lubricant from the source to the tank through said inlet, float controlled means at a lower level to limit flow of lubricant into the tank, separate means having an inlet for supplying a liquid dilutant to the tank, means for agitating and mixing the lubricant and dilutant within the tank, additional float controlled means including a float effective at a higher level for limiting the supply of dilutant and the total quantity of mix in the tank, a conductivity meter associated with the mix, and means independent of the float controlled by the meter for limiting the supply of dilutant to regulate the proportions of lubricant and dilutant in the mix, in which one of said float controlled means to limit the height of a liquid level in the tank, includes a solenoid operable shut-off valve for one of the supply inlets to the tank, and a control circuit for the valve including a switch operable by one of the floats.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,748,790 6/1956 Hodgens 13793 LAVERNE D. GEIGER, Primary Examiner.

H. BELL, JR., Assistant Examiner. 

1. A LUBRICATION CONTROL UNIT FOR BOTTOL HANDLING MACHINES OF THE TYPE HAVING A PROGRESSING CONVEYOR CHAIN, COMPRISING A LIQUID LUBRICANT SUPPLY SOURCE, A MIXING TANK, MEANS FOR TRANSFERRING LUBRICANT FROM THE SOURCE TO THE TANK, FLOAT CONTROLLED MEANS AT A LOWER LEVEL TO LIMIT FLOW OF LUBRICANT INTO THE TANK, SEPARATE MEANS FOR SUPPLYING A DILUTANT TO THE TANK, MEANS FOR AGITATING AND MIXING THE LUBRICANT AND DILUTANT WITHIN THE TANK, ADDITIONAL MEANS INCLUDING A FLOAT EFFECTIVE AT A HIGHER LEVEL FOR LIMITING THE SUPPLY OF DILUTANT AND THE TOTAL QUANTITY OF MIX IN TANK, A CONDUCTIVITY METER ASSOCIATED WITH THE MIX, AND MEANS INDEPENDENT OF THE FLOAT CONTROLLED BY THE METER FOR LIMITING THE SUPPLY OF DILUTANT TO REGULATE THE PROPORTIONS OF LUBRICANT AND DILUTANT IN THE MIX. 